Tag Archives: Cyberbullying

TBYT recently caught up with Hope, Wolf, and Brian from the band VISTA. We discussed a variety of topics including their new EP, musical influences, and personal experiences with negativity online.

Think Before You Type:VISTA is a recently formed band, can you tell us how you guys all met and what made you decide to start the band together?

VISTA:Hope had been a solo artist for about a decade, and Wolf was her touring drummer. Their musical brains just completely meshed right off the bat, and they made the decision to form a new band. Brian and Wolf had been in bands together previously, and they’ve been friends for years. Brian was actually supposed to be one of Hope’s new touring guitarists, so he came along on a weekend of shows to kind of get a feel for things and pick up on some of her songs. It was just a clear fit to ask Brian to be a part of VISTA!

TBYT: Sometimes the internet can be a really tough place. How do you deal with negative comments on social media?

Hope: The internet can be a really dangerous space. You can connect with people easily, which is super helpful as a musician, but I think it’s really important to remember that any negative comment you read is just a set of words on a screen. It’s digital, it’s not the real world. That’s always what I try to keep in mind. I know words on a social media site can be extremely, extremely hurtful. But lately I’ve been saying that I would much rather live my life off a screen than behind one, you know? Make sure to maintain good personal relationships.

TBYT: Who are your musical influences?

VISTA: All of our influences run on a pretty wide range. We’re all huge fans of bands like PVRIS and Set It Off. Brian loves Periphery, and he’s actually a big Bieber fan, too. Hope’s got three main musical sets of influences: pop punk and alt. rock, 90’s pop, and classic rock. Wolf’s got some pop punk vibes too, and he also loves the Biebs.

TBYT:What’s one thing that people tend to misjudge or underestimate about each of you?

Hope: In the past, some people have gotten super confused or surprised when they see how I dress compared to my personality. I wear black almost exclusively, you can never wear enough black! I’ve always gravitated more towards darker colors, with pretty much everything, but my personality is really bubble and upbeat…. which kind of contrasts the stigma behind wearing dark clothes. I guess it’s just an interesting contrast!

Brian: Probably that most of the time, people think I’m off doing dumb things but at heart I’m a very down to earth and real person.

Wolf: People tend to underestimate how hard I’ll work to get to where I want to be.

TBYT:When you’re down, what song helps to pick up your mood?

Hope: Any Backstreet Boys song!!!

Brian: For some reason I really enjoy metal when I’m down. So one of the songs I listen to is “The Bad Thing” by Periphery.

Hope: You have such a broad taste in music, I can dig it. I’ve never heard of Periphery, now I have something new to check out.

Wolf: Anything by Set It Off!

TBYT:We’re really passionate about encouraging other young people to use the internet for good. What’s one positive way that you would like to see the internet change?

VISTA: Twitter shouldn’t be as negative. It’s a cool idea, a cool space that should be used to connect with your favorite musicians, actors, athletes, your friends. That space seems to be pretty abused nowadays. The bullying online, tweet wars, and subtweeting is just ridiculous. It could be such an awesome place online, but we’d really like to see people use it the right way, the positive way.

TBYT:Who are your role models?

Hope: My dad was my top role model. But I think that right now, and especially most recently, my role model has been my brother. He’s 7 years younger than me, but that kid is one of the most kind-hearted, care-free, talented teenagers I know. The way he carries himself at just 16 is super inspiring to me and I’m always more than proud to be his sister.

Brian: My role model would probably be my mom. She taught me how to fight for the things I want and to never give up when things get hard.

Wolf: My boss at my job.

TBYT: What advice or encouragement do you guys have for young people who are being cyberbullied?

VISTA: Get off the computer or phone for a bit. Go outside, get some fresh air, real air. Live more of your life offscreen instead of behind one. It really does wonders. Words on a screen are just words.

TBYT:What do you guys have coming up in 2016?

VISTA: Our EP! We’re gonna try and push out as much content as possible besides just music. Videos, photos, just a bunch of different things. And we will definitely be on the road. It will happen!

TBYT:How do you define ‘beauty’?

Brian: Beauty is who you are on the inside. And who you are on the inside could change the world and make it a more beautiful place.

L from Think Before You Type sat down with singer-songwriter Taylor Berrett at his Philadelphia tour date, right after the release of his debut album ‘Great Falls’. They discussed music, touring, cyberbullying, and role models.

We caught up with singer-songwriter Roxie Bardo. We chatted about her music, songwriting process, and taking the time to be kind.

TBYT: You’ve been performing since a really young age. How did you get your start?

Roxie: When I was very young I’d put on shows in my front yard. I would perform songs from Brittney Spears and Mariah Carey for my family. When I reached middle school I began attending a performing arts school that really allowed me to branch out performance wise.

We did musicals mostly but it was a crucial time in my life with regard to setting my career choice in stone.

TBYT: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

R: I would say that being artistic in any sense is difficult. When you’re young you don’t fully understand what makes you different, but you know that you don’t think the same as your peers. I would tell myself to relax and to not worry so much about what others think. To not be concerned with blending in with the crowds and to embrace my view of the world.

TBYT: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

R: Not particularly. At some point in my life someone told me to “Just Be.” It hit home for me. I’m such a perfectionist and those two words get me threw a lot of hardships.

TBYT: What is the one thing that keeps you from getting discouraged on a bad day?

R: I go through quite a few ups and downs in my line of work. Every time I feel hopeless I remember all that I have. All the support I have from my family, all the love I get from my fans, and all the opportunity that’s in front of me. When you find gratitude in your life you’re able to accomplish so much more because all the worry is gone. I have everything I need right now. All my future accomplishes will just be excess.

TBYT: Who are your musical influences?

R: I’m really into Die Antwoord and The Weeknd right now. They are both free, musically speaking. I’m hoping some of their bravery will seep into my subconsciousness!

TBYT: What’s your favorite part of your job?

R: I’m most joyous when I’m performing usually. Although, as of late the creative process has been very exciting. I’m just loving writing right now.

TBYT: How do you deal with negative comments online?

R: Well, as an artist I’m a sponge. I absorb everything around me or being told to me. Because of this I tend to try and stay away from any negativity or cruelty with regard to my music. If I don’t see it or hear about it, I’m good.

TBYT: Do you ever get stage fright? If so, how do you overcome it?

R: Every time I perform I have a deep nervousness. It comes, for me, before I go on stage. While I’m immersed in the performance I’m fine. I think that’s the key – completely loosing yourself in your music and lyrics. It makes performing an elevated experience that can be quite spiritual.

TBYT: What advice do you have for young people who want to follow their dreams, but might be too afraid to try?

R: I would say that if you love it, do it. There are so many minuscule things that cloud our minds when we are making these life decisions that can drive us crazy. We think too much, all of us. When you let go a bit you end up being the best you. So let go, and if you naturally are steered towards one direction then follow it. Don’t ask questions.

TBYT: You’ve stated that you want your music to have a “deeper meaning” how does this perspective impact your songwriting process?

R: I want my music to evoke emotion. I want it to make you consider ideas and experiences you never have before. So naturally when I’m writing I’m aware of the end goal. I tend to try and surprise or shock myself. If I can make myself question my thoughts and feelings then odds are whoever is listening will feel the same way.

TBYT: Why do you think that it’s important for people to think before they type?

R: Everything you put into the world matters. Every statement, every good or bad feeling, it all can have a domino affect on not only you but those around you. My generation is very careless it seems when it comes to how we treat each other and I pray that we are able to realize that above all else we have to be kind to one another. If you only do one thing in your lifetime let it be being kind to all you come in contact with whether they deserve it or not.

Think Before You Type recently interviewed brothers Jack and Max Wagner, who make up the musical duo, Minor Soul. We discussed their love of performing, how they got their start in music, and how they deal with negative comments online.

Think Before You Type: How did you two get your start in music and performing?

Max: So Jack started playing guitar when he was eight, and he was already writing all these songs really early on. Meanwhile, I was doing a lot of theater acting, performing around Asia in different touring shows. And when I got too old for the theater troupe I was with, I started stealing Jack’s guitar from his room, and he got annoyed at me so he decided to buy me my first guitar for Christmas. I think it was when I was thirteen.

Jack: And so I taught Max how to play some chords, and he taught himself a lot, and we decided to start playing together. And one day Max was on my computer and found all these songs I had written but kept secret because I was too shy.

Max: We put some songs up on YouTube, and we were discovered randomly by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, who is just a legendary producer and rock star. And he flew us out to LA and got us started in the industry. We recorded Beneath My Skin with him, and that song and music video led to everything else we have done in our career so far.

TBYT: What’s your favorite social media site?

Jack: Max and I are really into Myspace…

Max: Haha actually our favorite is Instagram. I love taking selfies.

TBYT: You just finished the Infinity Tour with AJR. What is your favorite tour memory?

Jack: The tour was so much fun, and it was a massive learning experience because it was our first ever tour. My favorite moment was in Rochester when we played our song, “Charlie Chaplin”, and the whole crowd started singing along to the anthem in the bridge of the song. That was the first time there was such a massive crowd sing-a-long to our music.

Max: I just really enjoyed being on the road with the AJR boys and also playing the encore with them — the fans really loved seeing all of us on stage together.

TBYT: Who are your role models?

Jack: I think my role model in terms of music is John Lennon or Paul McCartney, they are the top of the pile.

Max: My role model is Gordon Ramsay.

TBYT: What is your writing process like?

Max: It kind of depends on the song actually. Some songs Jack starts by himself, some songs I start by myself, and there are some we write completely together from start to finish.

Jack: For example, “Beneath My Skin” was a song I had written by myself, and I presented it to Max and he actually changed the end of the song and wrote the whole “Oh Oh Oh” outro part, which is the best part of the song!

TBYT: In what ways has the internet impacted your work with Minor Soul?

Max: We are really focused on building our fanbase through social media, so the internet is really important to us. We love connecting with fans around the world so easily, and we try to be really responsive and active with them.

TBYT: When you’re down, what song helps to pick up your mood?

Jack: I usually cheer myself up with some Bee Gees. “You Win Again” is my favorite.

Max: Anything by Tiesto gets me in a good mood.

TBYT: You guys were born in London, but you grew up in Hong Kong, and now you live in New York. How has living in such diverse places influenced you two as people and as musicians?

Max: We were so lucky to grow up in Hong Kong, and it has definitely made Jack and I discover a lot of wonderful things around the world. We are in love with traveling and we still try to go back home to Hong Kong once a year if we can.

Jack: And I guess as musicians we were mostly influenced by our dad, who is a massive Beatles and David Bowie fan. So for our music, it was less to do with where we grew up and more to do with the people who raised us.

TBYT: Sometimes the internet can be a really tough place. How do you deal with negative comments on social media?

Max: We honestly don’t get too many negative comments right now which is very lucky given how harsh people on the internet can be. But when we do get something negative we just look to all the positives and remind ourselves that getting affected by the odd negative comment is not worth it at all.

Jack: We believe in what we are doing, and we also have been through so many tough experiences in the music industry that we don’t get affected by the little negative things anymore. We just focus on ourselves, and we are just so happy to be able to make music as our job!

TBYT: What do you guys have coming up for the rest of the year, and early 2015?

Max: Well this tour was awesome and also a lot of work, so after just getting off that we are gonna focus on promoting our music through social media and we are definitely gonna just keep working hard. If we can get on another tour as the opener that would be incredible!

I headed over to Silver Spring, MD to interview the brothers in AJR at the first night of their Infinity Tour. We discussed cyberbullying, positive internet use, their exciting career, and having the courage to stand out. Check the interview out and let us know what you think!

We’re very sorry that this is out first post in a while. Things got super busy with school, but we’re back! Check out our new Dare and join us in saying some encouraging things to the important women in our lives.